5 lakh crore to develop Indian Highway network by 2019

India's automotive industry is growing at a rate that the infrastructure can't keep up with. In light of the growing need for improved infrastructure, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced a 10 lakh Crore investment for India's highways and shipping sector. There will be a 50-50 divide for the amount allocated.

Gadkari has long been associated with roadworks in the country and he spearheaded projects such as the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, apart from building several flyovers in Maharashtra. The government's plan is to reach a target of building 30 kms of road a day by March 2016. The road-map includes plans to convert the Delhi-Meerut highways into 16-lane roads, besides completing Delhi-Jaipur highways by June this year.

The ministry is also said to be conceptualizing plans to build road networks that can enable 1,000 kms of travel in six hours. Apart from the highways sector, the government is also looking to turn multiple water-bodies into transportation routes.

Source: ET

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